Coping with Grief
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Michael Steve Jackson came into this world for a reason and that was to spread joy and happiness, to love his friends and family, to solve problems, to strive for better, and to discover and love his God.
Born 41 years ago in rural St. Thomas, Jamaica, he discovered that he had a talent for applied work. Be that fishing which he loved passionately, painting or building things-he was a man of many talents. Mikey, Mike, or Jah Mikes, as he was affectionately called, left no one with whom he came in contact unmoved. His energy, his love of life, his enthusiasm, his aspirations could move even the most despondent to cheer.
Mikey was the life of every party. He was a good singer with a lovely voice and loved to sing. Kind and made time for everyone, he was ambitious who dreamt big and took concrete steps towards achieving his goal of building his own home by age 40 through hard work and dedication, despite a health condition that would visit him from time to time.
He did this not just for himself, but for the love of his life, his wife Simone who he met at age 18 on a painting job and married 5 years later, his daughter Mickayla and his extended family and friends. He was a great son to his parents Marlon and Madge and his sisters Stephanie, Jodiann, Tamara, Jayann, and Shakima. The couple began humbly in St. Thomas, embarking on the road of life together sustained by their great love. They were an inseparable team and when they both migrated, it was in their quest for a better life for the family and all they impacted.
Prior to migrating, Mikey went to Canada on the Farm Work Program from 2006 to 2018 in furtherance of his goals where he met many friends. In America, Mikey traversed the South in search of opportunity, making more friends and leaving an indelible mark on those with whom he crossed paths. Despite an exhausting work schedule, he always made time to celebrate special moments with his friends and family, the last being daughter Mickayla’s 15th birthday.
Michael was well-loved and respected. He was a role model and source of inspiration for younger relatives such as Jermaine, Busta, and Oshane. His kind, honest, and fun-loving infectious spirit captured so many, work colleagues, church family, community members, friends, and relatives in Jamaica, Canada, and later in the United States. He cultivated great friendships and became part of his extended family like Taniel, Shana, Shannon, Althea, Wayne, Michelle, Ophelia, Peter, Andrea, just a few of his army of supporters who have stood by the family until his untimely demise. Andrew Wynter was his best friend, confidante, and mentor. Mikey and Brother Andrew were inseparable.
It was a grand occasion and dream come through when Michael gave his life to the Lord and was later water baptized and became a member of Our Fathers House in Orangeburg. The family owes a debt of gratitude to Pastors Marvel Francis and Derrick Taylor from the Church of God of Prophecy in Jamaica, as well as Pastor and Mrs. Guinyard of Word of Hope Outreach Ministry who were instrumental in his spiritual growth and development as a Child of God.
The family of Michael Jackson owes a debt of gratitude to Bishop and Pastor Riley of Our Father’s House for the overwhelming love and support during this time of grief and to all the members of Our Father’s House who prayed and encouraged Michael and the family over the years. With heartfelt love, our most loving thanks to Dr. Jennings, teachers, and support staff of Whittaker Elementary School, the wider Orangeburg County School district, and to all administrators and teachers of the TPG, EPI, and other cultural exchange programs.
MIchael has left the world a better place than he found it. Why his stay was so short we won’t know until the day all mysteries unfold. We know he will be reunited with us on that day in Christ. To everyone who was part of Mikey’s journey, we give thanks that you were part of the journey with us, and we continue to live in his memory and good example. May his soul rest in eternal peace and may light perpetually shine upon him.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Steve Jackson, please visit our floral store.